UK’s Magical Mushroom Company uses mycelium to replace plastic packaging – Nob6

International plastic waste has more than doubled, and 40% of that waste comes from packaging. Fortunately there is no such thing as a scarcity of sustainable packaging startups in Europe. Simply have a look: Circleback (Germany), Recup (Germany), Sourceful (U.Okay.), one • 5 (Germany), Shellworks (U.Okay.), Woola (Estonia), Papkot (France), Biotic (Israel), FunCell (France) and Traceless (Germany).

The newest to affix the ranks is Magical Mushroom Company (MMC). It’s now raised a £3 million seed spherical led by Ecovative Design LLC with participation by Dale Vince, founding father of Ecotricity (a inexperienced power firm within the U.Okay.); Robert Del Naja (activist); and Marcus Watson, co-founder of Adoreum Companions, who introduced 30 different traders.

The funding might be used to fund the opening of its first uncooked materials manufacturing plant.

MMC’s answer is a direct alternative for plastic-based packaging akin to polystyrene and cardboard. It does this by combining agricultural waste with mycelium — the foundation construction of a mushroom. The outcome, claims the corporate, is biodegradable (in 45 days), sturdy and comparable in worth to conventional packaging derived from fossil fuels like polystyrene.

Launched in 2019, MMC’s shoppers embody Raymarine, BA Elements, Castrads, Ffern, Selfridges, Lush, Seedlip and ID Watch, amongst many others.

Paul Gilligan, CEO and founder at Magical Mushroom Firm, stated in an announcement: “Now we have simply eight years to fulfill the UN’s Sustainable Growth Targets and companies have an important position to play – however they want viable and cost-effective options that considerably cut back the carbon footprint throughout their total provide chain. We’re proud to be creating worth from waste and unlocking the potential of mycelium.”